Designs tailored with "kutnu," a fabric originating from Turkey's Gaziantep province, will be showcased on the catwalk during London Fashion Week next month. The collection will be designed by renowned Turkish designer Bora Aksu and shown on Sept. 15.
Kutnu fabric has a 500-year history and was prominently used in the Ottoman court. Speaking on the importance of the historic fabric, Fatma Şahin, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and supporter of the project, said they saw the necessity of taking action in order to protect this important cultural asset. "Three years ago, we decided to promote kutnu fabric around Turkey. It is good to see this fabric in the spotlight of international fashion," Şahin added.
Designer Aksu also shared his excitement for the show and said: "It is important for me to see this historic fabric's revival in the world fashion scene. While I was growing up, I wore the things my mother and grandmother knitted and tailored for me, so I put great importance on specially tailored clothes and fabrics. We will do our best to promote this cultural element of our country to the world."